For many, the five-match India vs Australia T20 series might seem like an FTP (Future Tours Programme) obligation. But this is where the India Cricket Team begins their preparations for the T20 World Cup 2024. As of now, India have three T20 series and an Indian Premier League (IPL 2024) to prepare for another WC, four days after the ODI World Cup heartbreak. With Suryakumar Yadav taking charge in the absence of seniors, India have benched Washington Sundar, Avesh Khan and Jitesh Sharma to the bench from India Playing XI vs Australia 1st T20.
The squad is similar to the Asian Games gold medal-winning team. The only changes are the return of Suryakumar Yadav in the T20s after a lukewarm ODI WC and Axar Patel, who returns from injury. However, eyes will be on Ruturaj Gaikwad, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ishan Kishan who will fight for a spot in T20 WC.
“The wicket looks good, dew should come later and should make the pitch better. It’s a little difficult, but there’s always light at the end of the tunnel. Lots of positives and looking forward to the series. The guys have played a lot of franchise and domestic cricket, just told them to express and enjoy themselves. Washington, Shivam and Avesh are sitting out,” Suryakumar Yadav said at the toss.
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T20 World Cup audition
- As India will play 11 T20Is before T20 WC, each and every match will be an audition for someone.
- It begins with Yashasvi Jaiswal and Ruturaj Gaikwad.
- Before Shubman Gill returns and Rohit Sharma decides his future, both openers have to impress selectors.
- Ishan Kishan is another batter who is facing a litmus test. His T20I performances in the last 12 months don’t instil confidence.
- Kishan has scored just 107 runs in the last 11 innings at 11.88.
- The left-hander now has a chance after getting the nod ahead of Sanju Samson to prove his worth in T20Is.
- Tilak Varma began with exuberance with blazing knocks. But since then, he hasn’t got a lot of runs.
- Even though he scored 55 off 26 against Bangladesh in the Asian Games final, he will face the real test against Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff and Adam Zampa among others.
- It is also chance for Axar Patel to impress before Ravindra Jadeja returns to move him to the bench.
- Similarly, as India Cricket Team begin a transition for Ravichandran Ashwin from white-ball cricket, it is an opportunity for Washington Sundar to steal the limelight.
India Playing XI vs AUS 1st T20:
- Ruturaj Gaikwad
- Yashasvi Jaiswal
- Ishan Kishan (WK)
- Suryakumar Yadav (C)
- Tilak Varma
- Rinku Singh
- Axar Patel
- Ravi Bishnoi
- Arshdeep Singh
- Mukesh Kumar
- Prasidh Krishna
India squad for IND vs AUS T20 series: Suryakumar Yadav (Captain), Ruturaj Gaikwad (vice-captain), Ishan Kishan, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Tilak Varma, Rinku Singh, Jitesh Sharma (wk), Washington Sundar, Axar Patel, Shivam Dubey, Ravi Bishnoi, Arshdeep Singh, Prasidh Krishna, Avesh Khan, Mukesh Kumar, Shreyas Iyer (from 4th T20)
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